Nyree Dawn Porter in New Zealand

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33464, 20 February 1974, Page 6

Nyree Dawn Porter in New Zealand

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 19.' The actress Nyree Dawn Porter passed through Auckland yesterday on her way to Napier, her home city. She is travelling under her married name of Mrs Bryon O’Leary..

But at Auckland Hospital, where she was treated for nose discomfort after flying from London, she was recognised as “Irene” from Television’s "The Forsyte Saga,” and as “Contessa Caroline” from. “The Protectors,” Miss Porter recently told a London interviewer that she had not been in New Zealand for 16 years and wanted to make a visit. Her father, a Napier master butcher, and her stepmother had twice visited her in Britain. “When 1 go back, I want to creep into New Zealand unnoticed and unknown — certainly not as local-girl-made-good,” she had said. VISIT “SECRET” Miss Porter’s stepmother, Mrs K, N. Porter, said by telephone from Napier today that Miss Porter would be dismayed at having been recognised in Auckland. “Her visit has been so secret, and so sudden,” she said. She telephoned from Auckland yesterday and said, ‘l’m here.’ On her insistence, I haven’t yet told her two stepbrothers. Unfortunately, my husband is away in Perth at the InterDominion Trotting Championships.” Nyree Dawn Porter, then aged 22, left Auckland for London in September 1958, with the air ticket which was the prize in the national "Miss Cinema” talent quest.

Between winning the the contest in April and travelling in September, she had' married a Waipukurau actor, Bryon O’Leary who joined her in London later in the year. Miss Porter was determined to get on to the British screen or stage. “I couldn’t see myself making meat-pies for . dad,” she said then. “I think Dad might have been disappointed at my not being bom a boy.” TELEVISION SUCCESS Miss Porter had acted in New Zealand, everything from Shakespeare to revue. Her first British stage part was in 1959 in the London revue, “Look Who’s Here.” She rapidly graduated to straight West End plays and, in the early 19605, to leads in two films. Then came major success in television — as Madame Bovary and as Judith in Walpole’s, “Rogue Herries.” Asked after the death of her husband in 1970 — a matter which obviously distressed her — how she had retained her beauty and placidity, Miss Porter said that part of the answer was “food faddism" (a mash of dried apricots, dried prunes, dried raisins,, wheat germ, and honey) plus 15 minutes vigorous physical training a dav.